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Steve Reed insisted the choice to dam Manchester mayor Andy Burnham from standing in a by-election within the metropolis has “absolutely nothing to do” with dodging a management bid in opposition to Sir Keir Starmer.

Asked on Times Radio whether or not the Government has sacrificed the Gorton and Denton seat as a result of the Prime Minister was terrified of Mr Burnham staging a coup in opposition to him, the Housing Secretary stated: “No, it’s got absolutely nothing to do with that at all.

“Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee took a choice overwhelmingly… that Andy ought to keep as mayor of Manchester as a result of he was elected solely two years in the past to serve a four-year time period.”

Mr Reed said the decision is “executed and it is dusted” and the party will “battle to win” the by-election.